Haute Chic

Day 32 of 365 of The Great Makeup Challenge: Fresh-Faced. First and foremost, I survived my first month of The Great Makeup Challenge! I want to send out a big thank you to everyone out there who’s been following along, sharing, and offering suggestions and words of encouragement!

Starting off my second month of The Challenge, and after going through a week of heavy Halloween makeup (good and bad!!), I decided I want to do something a little more light and airy: a fresh-faced look. After all, a week of heavy makeup can be very taxing on your skin. I was inspired by a spread in the October 2011 issue of The Colorist magazine, which featured photos of various fresh-faced looks (although the magazine is all about the hair!). The photo above just screamed fresh, healthy, and glowing to me. So that’s what I decided to do.

What you will need:

• Primer (I used Clear Prep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment Gel)
  
• Concealer (Benefit Erase Paste reigns supreme)
  
  
• Powder (I used Sephora Mineral Powder)
  
  
• Bronzer and highlighter (I used Wet ‘n’ Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder in Catwalk Pink for both)
  
  
• Pink blush (Today I used Lancome Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Rose Romantique)
  
  
• Light, neutral eyeshadow (Today was MAC’s frost eye shadow in Naked Lunch)
  
  
• Light rosey-grey eyeshadow and a grey eyeshadow (I used both in one palette by using Lancôme Colour Focus Exceptional Wear EyeColour Eyeshadow Duo in Rose Quartz/Volcano)
  
  
• Black inner rim eyeliner (I used POP Beauty In Liner in No 1 in Black; this is still my absolute favorite!)
  
  
• Copper eyeliner (I used Estee Lauder Artist’s Eye Pencil in No. 03 Copper Writer)
  
  
• Black eyeliner (I used Wet n Wild Brow & Eye Liner in No. 651 Black Black)
  
  
• Mascara (I used Maybelline Lash Stiletto Waterproof Mascara in Black)
  
  
• Natural warm tinted lip balm (I tried out Covergirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm in Coral)
  
  

Instructions:

As always, I started with primer, followed by my standardconcealer to cover up my undereye circles. I honestly didn’t sleep well last night, and there my circles were especially dark as a result, presenting a bit of a challenge! I then set my base with loose mineral powder. In an effort to keep some semblance of summer around, I’ve been trying to keep my skin warm as we approach winter. I’ve been using a self-tanning moisturizer daily, and as such, I didn’t need to use a heavy foundation or even a tinted moisturizer today. Now, on the other end of the spectrum, if you happen to have the beautiful porcelain skin of the girl in the photo above, good for you! With such a skin tone, this look can be especially flattering.

Once I set my base, I moved onto contouring. I was aiming to obtain that nice flush that you can see in the model’s cheeks above. I opted to use my favoritebronzer/highlighter palette, first blending all of the colors and lightly dusting over my entire face for a warm, glowing effect. I then began contouring my cheekbones by applying the darker shades of the palette to the hollows of the cheekbones, and the lighter tones to the tops of the cheekbones. Once I was happy with the shape of the cheekbones, I moved on to my blush. When reviewing the photo, the blush is a pretty rosey color, and is focused on the apples of the cheeks, moving upward into the hollows of the cheeks. This leaves thehighlighter on the top of the cheekbones to capture and reflect the light. Following suit, I applied a rose blush to the apples of the cheeks, and worked it slightly upwards over the bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks, blending with my finger tips.

Now, the photo does leave a little to the imagination regarding what exactly was done with the eyeshadow. From what I can glean, there appears to be a soft grey shade in there. So I decided to go that route, and to also keep up the warm tones with a rosey-grey shade as well. I first applied a neutral shimmery shadow from the inner corner of the eye, working outward and upward along the brown bone. I applied the warm grey eyeshadow to the eyelid only, and then worked the grey eyeshadow to into the crease only. I then lined the inner rims of my eyes with black inner rim liner, and lined the bottom lash line with a copper-colored eyeliner.

I then thickly lined the top lash line with black eyeliner. As you can see in the photos above, this line continues outward past the inner corner of the eye toward where the brow ends. There’s a simple trick to getting this line. When your eyelid is closed, start lining in the inner corner of the eye, moving outward. As you reach the outer edge of the eye, keep lining straight out. When you close your eye, the line will appear to be almost perfectly straight out. However, when you open your eye, it appears to have some shape ti it. Let your own line be your guide, and it will make it a lot easier on you! To finish the eyes, I swiped on two coats of black lengthening mascara to the top lashes. I left the bottoms bare.

Finally, for my lips I wanted to add a touch of color and shine, but still keep the natural look I was going for. I tried out Covergirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm in Coral, and it added a nice shine a touch of color with the added benefit of moisturizing my lips.

Show me some of your fresh-faced looks! Share your photos and experiences, and show me some of your makeup skills! Post your photos, ask any questions you may have, or share any ideas you want me to try our via my Submit page above or Email Me!

See you tomorrow for Day 33 of The Great Makeup Challenge!